Senior Mental Health Recovery officer - Berkshire, Bracknell, RG120

Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for millions of people affected by mental illness. For 40 years we have brought people together to support each other. We run services and support groups across England that change people's lives and we challenge attitudes about mental illness.

Our Benefits Advice service provides information and advice concerning a wide range of social security and related benefits for mental health service users who live in the Bracknell Forest area. The advice and support offered includes information about benefit entitlement, assistance with form completion and advocacy or representation when making a claim or an appeal. All aspects of benefits are covered, including returning to work and various benefit options.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced individual to provide a specialist Benefits Advice Service to service users and people referred from the Community Mental Health Team by providing expert advice, information, representation and advocacy for people with mental health needs and those who care for them. To meet the requirements of the Service Level Agreement with Bracknell CMHT/Berkshire Healthcare Trust to provide specialist benefits advice based within the Community Support Service.

The successful candidate will have in depth knowledge of welfare benefits, eligibility criteria and barriers for different benefits. Knowledge and experience of advising on debt problems, delivering welfare benefits advice and tribunal procedures. You will have proven experience of providing support to people with a mental illness or within another social care setting.

The successful candidate holds a recognised professional qualification within the remit of welfare benefits advice. CAB or other accredited training relating to advice provision in subject areas relevant to the post. Also there must be substantial evidence of commitment to personal and career development relevant to the post.

This post is a part time post 18.75 hours per week covering Monday ,Tuesday and Thursday.

Closing date: 17/03/2014

Rethink is passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourages applications from under-represented communities.